Spider-Woman #3 is saved by the fantastic artwork and the battle scenes, but the predictable course of Green Mambas story hurts the book.  I look forward to the series getting away from the Gang War story and move into devoting time to making Jessica Drew the spectacular and unique character she has been in the past. Read Full Review

A pretty solid issue here that just misses the 8/10 mark for me. That said, I thought that this was possibly the best issue Foxe has written for this series. I believe this is the best Foxe has written Jessica up to this point, which is a big part of why I would call this the best issue of the run so far. Plus, while my memory is a little foggy, Borelli's may have been the best it's been in this series thus far as well. I think what may be stopping me from giving this that 8/10 is the reveal at the end. I kind of knew that twist was coming, but I still don't really know how I feel about it. I think it may have been better if it was a clone of Jessica's son, but that's just me. Either way, I'm still interested enough to keep reading and I hope the series continues to improve. more

For all the crazy shenanigans happening here, this really should be much more interesting than it's coming across.

If Steve Foxe ever writes a Diamondback solo it will likely be top notch, every one of that character’s scenes shine. I am enjoying the straightforward tone of the book, and the artist and colourist are doing consistent work.

Okay so we didn’t have to wait until the final issue for the info-dump, but getting it here, as she is already in the process of being saved, completely destroys any sense that she was ever in danger, and positions us away from any immediate, visceral involvement with her story. Discovering her powers were fried as she fell would have covered that better.

Why would Jess think Julia, or her powers, creepy? It seems the most closed minded, petty take, especially as she’d previously accompanied Magnus across the Astral Planes, and worked with the previous Madame Web to help Mattie Franklin. It devalues her. People used to call Jess herself creepy, you think she’d be a bit more empathetic.

Unless, that’s supposed to explain why Jess didn’t approach Julia before, in which case, rude. Jessica’s argument that only Hydra could have organised things is too pat, any number of malevolent forces could have done the same. I guess I should be happy that we didn’t have to wait until the final issue for that info-dump but it wasn’t elegant.

As for the reveal, it was too obvious to be shocking, it simply went exactly as expected, which was disappointing. The info-dump came too late. Instead we got heavy-handed clues, delivered in a clunky manner, that meant there was no chance for it to build and become horrifyingly inevitable.

It’s such a shame. I love the clean, real world elements of this book, the approach is great. However, Jessica’s monologue voice has slipped back into the same wonky poetry-slam pattern as the first issue. The second issue was better. I think because there’s a lot of tell don’t show. For instance, at one point Julia says Jess is no longer on her own, and I thought we were about to get a sassy three page team-up, instead Julia sidled quietly off page, leaving Jess to assume the Basil Exposition role as she steals aboard the ship, and a bit of momentum got lost. However, in general, the pacing is better in this issue than its predecessor.

I don’t know. This certainly isn’t bad by any means, but I want it to soar. Hopeless pretty much muffed up the four part Spider-Verse book that preceded his straight run, and then turned things around. Not in a way I liked, but the difference was palpable, so maybe Foxe can do the same going forward. I think I’m finding niggles because it has so much promise as a fresh take on Jess. The last time I enjoyed a portrayal of her unreservedly was in ‘Secret Avengers’ by Kot and Walsh, so I remain hopeful.

In the meantime, I’m hoping this book ends big. Another bombshell? I’d like to think so.

One final thing. Jess and her son appear to be using the fear element of their Pheromone powers within fights, presumably, as some form of Martial Arts “Kihap”. If that is the case, it’s a brilliant idea.

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